Knicks linked to former Lakers fan favorite

Josh Hart may not be the only former Los Angeles Laker who ends up on the New York Knicks.

Appearing Tuesday on “NBA Today,” Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Knicks have “serious interest” in signing free agent forward Matt Ryan. Charania notes that the Knicks currently have 12 standard contracts and need to sign two more players within the first two weeks of the regular season (which starts Tuesday).

Not to be confused with the former NFL quarterback, Ryan, 27, has played for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans ever since going undrafted in 2020. He is known for his three-point shooting ability at 6-foot-6 and became a fan favorite during his brief stint with the Lakers in 2022 (even hitting a memorable clutch shot for them).

The Knicks need the depth in their frontcourt with Mitchell Robinson out for the rest of the calendar year and Precious Achiuwa recently suffering a multi-week hamstring injury. Landry Shamet, who signed with the Knicks in September, was also supposed to provide some sharpshooting. But Shamet dislocated his right shoulder last week, forcing the Knicks to waive him.

Ryan is a smoldering 41.1 percent three-point shooter for his NBA career. That could prove useful for the Knicks and their currently bare-bones second unit if they do indeed decide to sign Ryan.